Danville Express

Faulty registration leads to drug arrest

A man is facing drug charges, after expired registration tags led to a traffic stop by police. Danville Police Lt. Mark Williams said the arrest occurred July 31 on Camino Ramon near Paraiso Drive.

Williams said that around 11 a.m. Officer Paul Murphy was on patrol when he noticed that the registration stickers on a blue Toyota van in front of him were expired so he initiated a traffic stop. Murphy approached the driver of the vehicle, identified as Manuel Manibusan, 41, of Vallejo and asked him about the faulty registration.

Manibusan explained that they were just driving the vehicle to pick up some furniture. When the officer asked him for a driver's license, Manibusan admitted that it was suspended. A check on the driver confirmed the suspension as well as the fact that Manibusan was on probation.

Manibusan was asked to exit the car and while Murphy spoke to him he noticed signs that the Vallejo man could be under the influence of drugs. He said Manibusan kept putting his hands in his pockets despite repeated warnings to keep his hands out. He also exhibited a dry white buildup at the corners of his mouth. A search of the man turned up a small propane torch commonly used in smoking methamphetamines, according to reports.

Manibusan initially denied using the drugs in the past several months, but on questioning from the officer admitted that he had smoked meth the previous evening, said police. Murphy conducted a field drug evaluation and determined that Manibusan was under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant. He was arrested on charges of DUI and being under the influence of a controlled substance and transported to the Martinez Detention Center.

--Geoff Gillette

This story contains 286 words.

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